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May 26, 1931. F. D. GRUND DOOR LATCH DEVICE Filed Jan. 7. 1929 gwoemtoz,

Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

FLETCHER D. GRUN D, F WESTON, OHIO; ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERIoANsWIss COM- :PANY, OF TOLEDO, onto, A oon-rons'rron on OHIO V I noon LATCH nEvIc-E' Application filed January 7, 1929. Serial Nd. 330,850.

This invention relates to a door latch device which is particularly applicable to the type of latch generally used on sedans and other closed car bodies This type of latch comprises a spring held latch bolt, with a roll-back member adapted to be operated by the door handle for retracting the bolt.

The general object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical and practical construction, whereby the roll-back member may be rotatably-mounted in position to operate the latch bolt and whereby the door handle shank may be easily inserted through or removed from the roll-back member, yet

is positively held in its assembled relation thereto in its normal operation.

The specific construction of my invention in its present embodiment, and the advantages resulting therefrom, willbe more par- 2o ticularly described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the latch bolt and parts associated therewith, as viewed from the side next to the door, the door handle shank being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2+2 of Figure 1, showing also the adjacent portion of the door. 7

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the door handle shank detached.

As illustrated in the drawings, the invention is associated with a base plate 5, which is adapted to be attached to a door 6. A latch bolt 7 is slidablymounted in the case plate 5 and is normally held in projected position by a suitable spring 8. A slide 9 is connected with the bolt? and is guided on a pin 10 which is secured to a keeper 11 and projects through a slot 12 formed in the slide. The slide is formed with a projection 13 engageable by a roll-back member 14 for retracting the bolt when the rollback member is rocked.

The roll-back member is usually formed with a hub as indicated at 15, which is mounted in suitable bearings in the case plate. In the present instance, one end of the hub 15 is mounted in a bearing plate 16,

whichmay be welded directly to theinner face of the case plate 5, andthe other-end of the hub is mounted in the'usua'l housing plate 17, which is secured to the case plate 5 by lugs 18 ,or other suitable means. roll-back member 14 is formed with a noncircular opening, preferably square, to receive a correspondingly shaped door handle shank 19. vThecase plate 5 is 'formedwith a, similar opening 20, which registers with the opening through the roll-back member, only when theroll-back member isrocked to a position in which the bolt 7 is retracted to its innermost position. When the roll-back member hasbeen rocked to this registering position, therefore, the door handle shank 19may be freely inserted through the rollback member and the opening 20. The shank 19, near its inner end, is formed with a peripheral groove 21 which permits the The C fl

shank to. rock within the'opening 20 when it has been thus inserted. The formation of the groove 21 leaves a head 22 at the inner end of the shank 19, which looks the shank in place as soon as the latch bolt and rollback member are released. A' portion of the case plate 5 is preferably pressed inwardly to form a recess 23 for receiving the head 22.

In the construction of this device for retaining the door handle shank, the roll-back member is mounted in the usual manner, except that a bearing plate 16 is welded to the inner face of the case plate instead of having the hub of the roll-back member extend through the case plate itself. In this manner the case plate constitutes an auto- .matic retaining means which engages the head 22, to prevent the detachment of the door handle shank during its normal operation.

While I have shown and illustrated the invention in connection with one specific type of latch operating means, it is apparent that the same principle may be used in connection with various other constructions. It is my intention, therefore, to include all such modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a case plate having a depressed portion formed with an opening, a latch bolt slidably associated with the plate, a roll back disposed inwardly of the case plate, means to connect the roll back to the plate, and a handle shank having a peripheral groove and a non-circular head beyond the groove, said head being insertable in the opening of the case plate only when the shank and roll back are in full bolt retracting position, the groove of the shank being received in the opening of the case plate and the head of the shank being engaged with the outer face of the depressed part of the case plate, and lying flush within said depressed part, whereby the case plate itself holds the shank in position.

2. In combination with a case plate formed with an opening, a latch bolt slidably associated with the plate, a'roll back disposed inwardly of the case plate, means to connect the roll back to the plate, and a handle shank having a peripheral groove and a non-circular head beyond the groove.

said head being insertable in the opening of the case plate only when the shank and roll back are in full bolt retracting position, the groove of the shank being received in the an opening of the case plate and the head of the shank being engaged with the outer face of the case plate, whereby the case plate itself holds the shank in position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification FLETCHER Di GRUND. 

